Djokovic Still Favorite For Grand Slams Over Alcaraz & Sinner Says Former Doubles No. 1
ATP
Novak Djokovic has an advantage over close rivals Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner in winning the remaining Grand Slams despite a trophyless 2024.
That is the word of former ATP doubles No. 1 Paul Haarhuis, who won six Grand Slam doubles titles in a 15-year playing career. Because Djokovic has not had a great start to the season, several analysts and fans have been quick to ignore his credentials as a clutch and resilient player.
But not Haarhuis, though, who believes the Serbian will reign supreme at the Grand Slams and especially at the upcoming Roland Garros and Wimbledon for a couple of reasons.
Djokovic's nearest challengers for the French Open and Wimbledon are expected to be Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, who are all ranked in the top three. Alcaraz famously beat Djokovic to win Wimbledon, and Sinner dethroned Djokovic as king of Melbourne to win the Australian Open.
In recent months, there has been a clear signal that men's tennis is experiencing a changing of the guard. However, Alcaraz and Sinner succumbed to injuries before Roland Garros, something Haarhuis thinks will hamper both men, leaving Djokovic as the frontrunner in Paris.
Additionally, the Netherlands Davis Cup captain is backing the tried and tested Djokovic to succeed at Wimbledon and win a record-tying eighth title. The 36-year-old's grass-court pedigree is unmatched by the current crop of ATP players.
"I think Djokovic is probably the favourite for the Grand Slams still for a couple of reasons. First of all, Sinner has not won at the French Open or Wimbledon. He hasn’t shown on grass that he is the main competitor."
"Secondly, Alcaraz has shown this year that he is physically struggling so he is not up to the level that you expect from him where you can say he is the favourite. That puts the only one who has done it so many times at the top of the list when you pick a favourite, especially for Wimbledon. So it looks like he has an advantage at the moment."
"Of course, we have a few weeks to Wimbledon and if someone wins Roland Garros, then wins Queen’s and goes into Wimbledon with all the belief and confidence, anything can happen."
Djokovic lost in the third round of his most recent tournament, the Italian Open, and will head to Roland Garros, having played the fewest clay-court matches in his career since 2006.
Latest Comments
- Kyrgios will do anything to stay in the news.shirley19-12-2024
- A technical error.
MrMustard18-12-2024 - All that is said , all that is done. Nick has 0 grand slams wins. Everything else is hot 🥵 air.MrMustard18-12-2024
- All that is said , all that isMrMustard18-12-2024
- Kyrgios is a jerk.shirley17-12-2024
- If Jessica Pegula had to undergo such horror for using a bannes substance, so do these two tennis players. Penalty should apply to all players regardless of their excuses. They are professionals and know better!!
Stella112-12-2024 - All players should be treated the same for taking banned substances, if your no 1 in the world or no 300 man or woman you should not be allowed to keep playing,,VPH108-12-2024
- Ah, censored again. No one gets to read my comment. LOLjjluvsports08-12-2024
- Reynolds, could you list all the wars started by the U.S. and U.K., or will you run out of paper? Hypocrisy.jjluvsports06-12-2024
- IDK, it looks like to me that Raducanu should praise herself and her team for 'gaming the system' as in playing the points and ranking game. When you look at her season of wild cards, skipping tournaments (including the Paris Olympics!), retiring from losing matches and avoiding qualifying rounds, it seems like there was some plan to move up the ranks without actually playing a lot of tennis. And it worked! Congrats!RealityCheckers04-12-2024